Julian Brandt needed to leave Bayer Leverkusen to prove himself

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Julian Brandt has revealed that he needed to leave Bayer Leverkusen to get out of his comfort zone and to develop himself as a player.

“After spending five-and-a-half years at Leverkusen, I simply had to get out of my comfort zone to develop and prove myself once again,” Brandt told Sport Bild.

“That’s the only way I can improve. A new club always means a new challenge and new competition. That’s what I needed in the summer.”

The Germany international is finally playing in midfield at Borussia Dortmund, a role that he’s more familiar with.

I feel really good there,” added Brandt. “I waited a long time to be able to show what I can do in the middle. When I played up top, I was also in a central position but playing as a striker wasn’t easy for me. I’m not a player like Romelu Lukaku.

“I wouldn’t say I was in a slump before but I sense that I’m on my way back to my old strength and feel really good on the pitch.”

Get Football+

More European Football News